Why Travel 4,646 Miles for Upper Cervical Care?

by Alison

4646 miles is how far it is from Boulder to Norway. A recent patient of mine, Sigmund, traveled here from Norway because they do not have Upper Cervical Chiropractic where he is from. Sigmund has been dealing with pain, numbness, and headaches for 8 years. He has tried everything to get the pain to stop, but he has only received temporary relief. His friend, Monica, searched the web for neck trauma treatments and found our site. Sigmund had been suffering for so long that he was willing to try almost anything to be able to go back to work and have fun with his wife and children without the fear of pain.

Sigmund booked a flight to Colorado for his first trip to the United States. He underwent the initial exam and received his first adjustment. He came to the office everyday while he was here for checkups. When Sigmund went home, he was so grateful and excited to go on his family vacation because he was without pain for the first time in 8 years. He also set up an appointment with his boss to see if he could start to come back to work full time.

Here in the U.S., I hear all kinds of reasons why people don’t have time for care, or they live too far to come in for treatment, yet others travel incredible distances and will do anything to take control of their health. The last thing Sigmund said to me before he went back home is, "I wish everyone knew about this care, and the people in the United States are so lucky that there are clinics here."

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

Dwyane Wade, Migraines and Upper Cervical

Dwyane Wade, Migraines and NUCCA

by Dr. William R. Davis Jr.

One of NBA Basketball‘s most exciting players Dwyane Wade continues to battle migraine headaches.

"Most of the time it lasts for four days," Wade said. "This time, the effects are going into the third day. I’m doing everything with the doctors, but there are certain things you can’t control."

Or can you?

Is it possible that there is an underlying cause associated with your migraines Dwyane?

If you got to the underlying cause would it be possible to prevent these migraines?

Would it be possible to eliminate them completely?

Dwyane Wade is a very physical player. He frequently dives on the floor and has had several head and neck traumas over the years. Here is one example of Wade whacking his head on the ground in the playoffs a few years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ksc5_bpYw

What happens when you get head and neck traumas?

Well these accidents and injuries can tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place and create a weakness, which then allows the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position.
Now I am sure that the Miami Heat have a staff Chiropractor, as almost all professional sports team do. But to get to this problem he may need a more advanced approach than general chiropractic. Learn more from a recent WebMD story http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20070316/chiropractic-cuts-blood-pressure

If Mr. Wade has a misalignment in the upper neck at the base of the brain, blood flow has been shown to be effected. Research is demonstrating that these misalignments in the upper neck at the level of the Atlas can be an underlying cause with several vascular conditions such as Migraine Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Multiple Sclerosis and others. The veins that drain the brain are not working the way that they are supposed to be.

The main way that this takes place is the physical trauma associated with head and neck injuries.

The only way to safely, precisely and gently realign the spine is by acquiring precise upper cervical x-rays. Once the upper neck is viewed from all three directions then a plan can be put together to correct this complex condition. The NUCCA procedure is very effective at restoring the upper neck to it’s proper alignment.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

Chronic Headache Sufferers Find Relief With Upper Cervical Care

Many people are not aware of the relationship between upper cervical (neck) trauma and headaches. With all that modern science has accomplished, there are still more unanswered questions than answered ones. This is also true in the case of headache research. It’s been difficult to pinpoint the exact reason(s) why certain people suffer chronic headache pain. However, research is beginning to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying cause for many types of head pain, especially migraine, cluster and tension headaches.

The upper cervical area of the spine refers to the two vertebrae located at the top of the spine, directly underneath the head. C1 (known as Atlas,) along with C2 (known as Axis,) are chiefly responsible for the rotation and flexibility of the head and neck. Like the rest of the vertebrae, they are extremely vulnerable to injury and trauma, especially trauma to the head through auto or sporting accidents.

Because so many nerves transmit through the cervical region (to and from the brain,) trauma to this area results in problems to other parts of the body. This is where the relationship between the upper cervical area and headaches becomes evident. If these vertebrae become displaced, even slightly, chronic head pain can occur. Unless the neck injury is addressed, the symptoms persist.

Upper cervical care involves addressing the position and function of these injured cervical vertebrae, particularly C1 and C2. Realigning these vertebrae may restore proper function to the area and reduce or eliminate many types of headaches.

The most common types of headaches for which people seek upper cervical care are migraine, cluster and tension headaches. Migraine headaches are characterized by intense pain on either one or both sides of the head. Pain is usually located around the temples or behind one ear or eye. The pain is so severe that it often causes extreme sensitivity to light, dizziness and may even lead to vomiting. Migraines may occur with or without ‘aura.’ Aura refers to visual symptoms which occur 10 to 30 minutes prior to the onset of the headache. They are usually in the form of flashing lights, lines, blind spots or even temporary blindness.

Cluster headaches almost always occur on only one side of the head. Their onset is so sudden and intense, cluster headaches have been described as “worse than childbirth.” In fact, the doctor who originally identified and researched cluster headaches characterized their pain as being able “to drive normal people to suicide.”

Tension headaches are sometimes called ’stress headaches.’ They often start midday and usually consist of a dull, aching pain rather than a sharp, intense one. They start gradually and slowly build in intensity. Tension headaches may last anywhere from less than one to several hours.

Of course, not every headache falls into one of these categories. The type and degree of pain varies from person to person. However, if any headache occurs more often than on an occasional or sporadic basis, it’s safe to assume that there may be an underlying cause. Continually treating chronic and recurrent headaches with pain medication may temporarily ease the symptoms, but it won’t cure the problem.

Many of these headaches improve significantly while under upper cervical care. The number of visits required varies by individual, as well as type and frequency of headache. A first visit to an upper cervical chiropractor usually involves a spinal evaluation including neurological tests and x-rays to assess alignment and function for each individual case.  Patients often notice an improvement in symptoms, sometimes after only a few visits with the doctor.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

How To Misalign Your Head And Neck...Let Me Count The Ways

(Editor's Note:  Fifty to be exact and this is far from a complete list but it gets you thinking about why it is important to be checked periodically.)

by Dr. Deborah Sesker

In a perfect world, none of us would have been born by forceps, or by Cesarean, or with the doctor pulling with too much force on our heads.

In a perfect world, none of us would have fallen off the side of the bed when we were two, tripped down the stairs at age eight, or rolled our car in the ditch at eighteen.

But these things happen. And when they do they often stress the muscles and ligaments of the upper neck to the point where the bones misalign and lock-down, placing stress on the spinal column and the delicate nervous system inside.

If we were lucky enough to have our parents take us to an upper cervical doctor at a young age, we might have only lived with our neck misalignment for days, weeks, or maybe a few years before having it properly corrected.

But most of us aren’t, which means many of us live one, two, or six decades before we ever have our atlas unlocked by our upper cervical doctor. By this time ligaments are tightened, muscles have developed amnesia, and we have patterns of movements which place stress on the top of our spine without us even knowing.

All of this is to say, that even a really good upper cervical correction may not hold very well, especially in the beginning of our care. And if we want to make the most of our upper cervical  care, we’re going to need to be careful what we do on a day to day basis.  Here are 50 simple ways you could lose your upper cervical alignment.

    Sleeping on your stomach.

    Sleeping on your side without proper neck support.

    Reading in bed with a book on your chest.

    Watching television in bed with your chin on your chest.

    Falling asleep on the arm of the couch.

    Falling asleep upright in a chair.

    Falling asleep upright in a chair and waking up with an ear resting on one shoulder.

    Falling asleep anywhere other than your bed.

    Propping your head up on your hands, fist or palm under your jaw, for more than a few seconds at a time.

    Looking up for more than a minute at a a time, be it stargazing, birdwatching, or painting a ceiling.

    Stretching your neck by pushing it forward, backward, or pulling it to the the side with your hands.

    Having anyone else push or pull your head to stretch your neck.

    Stretching your neck by rolling your head in big circles.

    Staring down at a Smart Phone screen or tablet for hours everyday.

    Gripping a phone between your ear and your shoulder, instead of using headset or speaker phone.

    Having a small child hang from your neck.

    Having a small child jump on your head while wrestling in the living room.

    Having anyone hang from your neck or jump on your head.

    Whipping your head to the left or right or up and down while dancing, head-banging, or whatever it is you might be doing.

    Flipping your hair repeatedly to remove it from your face.

    Shaking your hair out to help dry it after a shower.

    Turning your head without moving your shoulder to look behind you while driving.

    Driving and hitting anything going more than five miles per hour.

    Driving and getting hit by anyone else going more than five miles per hour, for that matter.

    Getting into your small sedan by craning your neck to one side to sit down over and over again, instead of sitting down facing outward, and then rotating your body inward.

    Getting elbowed in the face while playing basketball, volleyball, tag, or any other amateur sport.

    Standing on your head.

    Heading a soccer ball.

    Smacking your own forehead.

    Falling on an outstretched hand.

    Doing a somersault improperly.

    Doing a cartwheel improperly.

    Doing certain yoga positions improperly.

    Doing ab crunches with your hands behind your head.

    Landing on your head from any height.

    Boxing.

    Martial arts with bad form.

    Bench pressing and watching your biceps, not the bar.

    Squatting and lifting your chin as you fatigue.

    Lifting without tucking your chin at work, at home, or anywhere.

    Getting dental work.

    Popping your own neck.

    Having someone else pop your neck.

    Chewing gum all day.

    Cracking a tooth.

    Deep tissue massage in the neck.

    Getting your hair washed, dyed, or dried backward in a salon sink.

    Getting into a pillow fight.

    Getting placed in a head-lock

    Getting up, turning over, or moving your body by leading with the head and neck, and not with the pelvis.

Does doing any one of these 50 things mean you’re going to need another adjustment? Not necessarily. Everyone is a little bit different. (Some kids have played high school football without losing their alignment.)

But they are common ways that you can set your upper cervical care backwards, and they’re worth considering if you’re having a hard time holding your alignment.

Concussion, Headache, Vertigo?... Upper Cervical Care?

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for concussion, headaches, vertigo or any other condition, disease or symptom. This is also a more in depth post of one that I posted previously. Thanks to Dr. Bill Davis for this more in depth look.)

Adapted from: Do concussions cause chronic headaches and vertigo?

by Dr. Bill Davis

For years I have been asking my patients if they have a history of head and neck injuries including, car accidents, falls, times where they have been knocked unconscious, had a concussion or stitches to their head.

Why?

When accidents and injuries tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it creates a weakness, which can cause the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position.

The area of the body that is the most vulnerable to injury and has the most far reaching effects is the upper neck. The top bone in the spine, the atlas sits right underneath the skull and when the tissues around it become stretched and damaged the weight of the head can be shifted from center.

Once the position of the head is altered the position of the eyes and ears is altered as well. The brain will initiate a reflex called the righting reflex in order to balance the eyes and the semicircular canals in the ears with the horizon.

The problem is now the head is slightly off center and the spine must adapt to that position by often twisting and turning the remaining structure of the spine. This can lead to tilting of the shoulders, the hips and imbalance all the way down to the legs leading to an unequal distribution of weight.

Body imbalance can lead to a variety of different health problems, but frequently has the same root cause…

The original head or neck injury created a misalignment of the Atlas bone at the base of the skull which led to the subsequent problems with the structure of the body, nerve and blood flow from the brain to the body.

Here is a great example from a recent research article published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 6, 2011

A 23-year-old female patient presented for upper cervical care five months after a slip and fall that resulted in a concussion. The patient presented with symptoms of vertigo and headaches consistent with post concussion syndrome. The patient had a longstanding history of headaches that were exacerbated by the concussion and a new complaint of positional vertigo that occurred immediately following the trauma. Significant body imbalances were noted including a leg length difference. Specific Upper Cervical X-rays demonstrated an upper cervical misalignment.

She began to receive Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic care and the headache and vertigo was gone immediately following the first adjustment. Post X-Ray evaluation showed a significant improvement in the alignment of the head and neck. The follow up examination the following day revealed a significant decrease in muscles spasm in the neck and the legs were balanced.

The patient’s fourth visit was two weeks following the first adjustment and at that time the patient reported a slight nagging headache had begun earlier that day, rated at 2/10, but she did not have any symptoms of vertigo. The patient’s care was continued on a frequency of twice per month for evaluations and progress monitoring. She was evaluated with Atlas Orthogonal protocol for necessity of adjustment and her symptoms were monitored at every evaluation. She continued to report a complete resolution of vertigo and intermittent headaches rated as 2/10 that occurred at an average of two hours/day.

Who do you know that has had a concussion? Do they have a chronic health problem? Is there head/neck misalignment and interference in brain to body communication limiting the ability for you to heal?

Only an upper cervical doctor could tell you.

Seizures And Other "Odd" Conditions

Several cases are presented involving seizures and other conditions and the results obtained.


Patient was experiencing 1 to 70 seizures per day prior to upper cervical care. On the 17th day after the adjustment, the seizures numbered 100 (the most recorded). On the 27th day the seizures abated. The seizures remained absent for approximately 4 weeks.

from: Cessation of a seizure disorder: correction of the atlas subluxation complex. Goodman R., Mosby J. Chiropractic: J of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. Jul 1990, Vol 6(2) pp.43-46.


Case Study No.2: "A 22-month-old child diagnosed with chronic infection and febrile seizures. Condition started when he fell out of a chair and hit his head on the floor. He had been on antibiotics and Phenobarbital since age six months. As a result of the medication did not eat well and lacked the strength to play. Analysis revealed C1 subluxation. Within 4 months of adjustments all medication was stopped and he resumed normal activities for a boy of his age."

from: Subluxation location and correction. Stephen R. Goldman, D.C. Today's Chiropractic July/August 1995 p.70-74


Case No. 1560: Epilepsy (grand mal): Age 24. He has had seizures since age 7, most of the convulsions occur at night, averaging 1-5 every 24 hours. Patient's entrance remarks: "The longest that he has gone without any attacks has been two or three weeks and that was immediately after adjustment from local chiropractor. Patient has been taking Phenobarbital for past 17 years." Phenobarbitol use was discontinued a day or two prior to his entering the BJP Clinic and "much of the reaction following reduction of nerve pressure was, in our opinion, withdrawal symptoms.." After the first adjustment his attacks increased in severity and number. The patient began to experience various symptoms: headache, hallucinations, numbness in both hands. The attacks increased per day to 12, 26, 51, 41, 54, 78, 97, 125-150 (in one 24 hour period!). The patient then reported five seizure-free months. Symptoms returned briefly after dental work was performed but after adjustment disappeared. Patient eventually remained seizure-free.

from: Neurocalometer, Neurocalograph, Neurotempometer Research As Applied To Eight B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic Cases. Preface by L.W. Sherman, DC, Asst. Director B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic. Published by Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa (undated).


Case No. 2348. Epilepsy: aged 5 years: March 1944 child had a streptococci infection in inner ear. Started falling many times each day: often hurt himself. Child had a tonsillectomy, appendectomy, and hernia operation "since this trouble started." Child had first adjustment 8-22-45. Immediately after the first adjustment, "child became more alert and his eyes started getting clearer. His appetite increased and we noticed he wasn't so nervous." In the two weeks since the first adjustment, the child gained five pounds. Child was discharged and parents were advised to have child under observation for period of several months as the original NCM reading (pattern) has a good chance of returning. Child had a "mild attack" three months later and has since remained free of epileptic symptoms. Child had one adjustment in all. Child's father later entered Palmer School Chiropractic.

from: Neurocalometer, Neurocalograph, Neurotempometer Research As Applied To Eight B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic Cases. Preface by L.W. Sherman, DC, Asst. Director B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic. Published by Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa (undated).


This is the story of a 5-year-old boy referred by his parents because of recurring middle-ear infections at one-month intervals. Child had been diagnosed with cortical blindness, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and severe brain damage, secondary to possible aborted crib death or viral encephalitis. His mother reported he had been a very healthy child. "Two days following a well-child checkup with an inoculation," became "colicky" and developed a mild upper respiratory infection with fever. After putting him to sleep, he became cyanotic, gasping for air and nonresponsive. In ER a septic workup found no infection. A cranial CT-scan showed cerebral edema, comparable with either an ischemic insult or sepsis. Child began to have seizures 24 hours later, diagnosed as severe hypoxemic encephalopathy, secondary to possible SIDS or vital encephalitis. Child remained on Phenobarbital for over 1½ years then placed on dilantin. Multiple specialists aid he would never walk, speak, regain his vision or progress in school. At the time of his first chiropractic visit, he was having 30 grand mal and complex seizures a day and otitis media once per month. "Upon presentation, the patient was non-ambulatory, uncommunicative and non-responsive with a constant loud vocal drone and almost constant writhing torsocephalic motions.gross motor coordination included reaching out with his hands and rolling over onto all fours."

Management: "Correction of the (atlas) was chosen as the first to be adjusted." Knee-chest posture adjustment on posterior arch of atlas. After the 1st adjustment, the mother noted that he had his first good-night sleep in weeks. After the 2nd adjustment seizures reduced to only 10 a day, vocal drone became a quiet intermittent moan and he began to clap his hands. During the next week patient had become more alert, sitting up and looking around, responded to sounds and seizures decreased to 5 per day. Pupillary reflexes returned to normal, almost all writhing motions had ceased, ears were clear of effusion. 3rd week: seizures were 5 per day, no grand mal. Sleeping through the nights. For the first time in his life he vocalized "dada" and began vowel sounds. Overall, spasticity had de- ceased in all extremities. He began showing fine motor skills. He had his first month free from otitis media in 9 months. 5 th week: ophthalmologist noted a drastic improvement with recovery of central field vision. Seizures now to 3 per day. Saying more words and improved fine motor coordination. 7-12 weeks: seizures reduced to staring spells which saying his name brought him out of. Over the next 10 months improvement continued. All epileptic drugs removed and neurologist declared him non-epileptic. He remained free of ear infections. His vision improved to the point where he was prescribed glasses. Vocabulary continued to increase. He was learning to feed himself and was potty training. He was able to walk slowly with the assistance of holding someone's hand.

from: Cortical blindness, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and recurring otitis media: A case study in chiropractic management. Amalu WC, Todays Chiropractic 1998; 27 (3): 16-25


Five cases were presented. Conventional EEG studies demonstrate responses of two children with petite mal (absent seizure) with potential for generating into grand mal. Upper cervical adjustment reduced negative brainwave activity and reduced the frequency of seizures over a four month period. In two cases of "hyperactivity" and attention deficit disorder, upper cervical adjustment reduced non-coherence between right and left hemi-spheres in one child and in another, CEEG demonstrated restoration of normal incidence of the alpha frequency spectrum. Increased attention span and improvement of social behavior were reported in both cases. A child rendered hemiplegic after an auto accident displayed abnormal brainwave readings. After adjustment, the CEEG demonstrated more normalized brainwave readings. Child was able to utilize his left arm and leg contralaterally to the injured side of the brain without assistance after upper cervical adjustments.

from: EG and CEEG studies before and after upper cervical or SOT category 11 adjustment in children after head trauma, in epilepsy, and in "hyperactivity." Hospers LA, Proc of the Nat'l Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (ICA) 1992;84-139.